Door closer



July 17, 1934.

A. C. DUNN DOOR CLOSER Original Filed March 10, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l Andfmx) C. Dunn atkozmqs M 17, 1934. A, c DUNN 1,966,957.

DOOR CLOSER nal Filed March 10, 1950v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 26 41k 1 1i: 1 '55 64 21 18 6} l 5,5)157 Patented July 17, 1934 UNETD STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 10, 1930, Serial No. 434,621 Renewed March 10, 1933 12 Claims.

My invention relates to door closers and particularly to the type of door closer which is adapted to be brought into action when the door approaches closing position. One such device is shown in my Patent'No. 1,244,594 and comprises a supporting bracket which is attached to the door frame, and an arm pivotally connected thereto and arranged to engage the door when the same approaches closed position to positively force the same into closing position. In this device the arm is actuated by a normally inoperative spring connected to said arm and bracket and adapted to be brought into operation upon engagement of a trip lug carried by said arm by a trip mounted on the door.

An object of the invention resides in providing a device whereby the trip may be applied to the door at any locality thereof and to doors hinged at either side thereof without interfering with or affecting the tripping of the arm thereby.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the trip with a resilient member adapted to engage the trip lug for forcing the arm in contact with the door and for permitting angular application of the trip to the trip lug.

Another object of the invention resides in construoting the arm and bracket with spaced flanges, one pair of said flanges being adapted to straddle the other pair and to form the in attaching to the flanges of said bracket, plates having portions for engagement with the ears of said arm to take up the thrust imparted thereto.

A feature of the invention resides in con- 140 structing said ears with circular portions concentric with the axis of the pivots thereof, and in forming said plates with sockets adapted to engage said circular portions to take up the thrust imparted thereto.

An object of the invention resides in constructing either said plates or the flanges of said bracket with holes extending therethrough for the reception of a pin, the other thereof overlying the ends of said pin and holding the same in place.

An object of the invention resides in disposing between the flanges of said bracket an arm, a tension coil spring, and in providing said coil spring with a plug secured thereto through which the aforementioned pin extends.

Another object of the invention resides in pivoting between the flanges of said arm a bar, and in passing through said bar a screw adapted to screw into another plug secured to the other end of said coil spring for varying the tension 6 thereof, said plugs serving to prevent breakage of the spring.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and /or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary plan view of a door and door frame illustrating an application of my invention thereto.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a different application of the invention to a door frame.

Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the door in closed position.

Fig. 5 is an inverted view of the door closer proper removed from the door frame.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the trip used in conjunction with the door closer.

Fig. '7 is a sectional detail view of a modification of the spring attaching device.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in Fig. 1 an ordinary door 10 which is hingedly mounted through hinges 11 on a door frame 12. This frame is constructed with a header 13 of the usual construction which forms no particular feature of my invention. For the purpose of simplifying the drawing, the door 10 has been illustrated as lying flush with the outer edge of the frame though it can be readily comprehended that the invention may be equally as well utilized with other door construction in which the door is set in from the outer surface of the frame. In Fig. 2, I have shown a part of another door 14 which is hingedly mounted through hinges 15 on a frame 16 employing a header 17. This construction is identical with that shown in Fig. 1 except that the door 10 is hinged on the right while the door 14 is hinged on the left hand side of the frame. The manner of attachment of the door closer to these various closures will be later more fully described.

The door closer proper is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and comprises a supporting bracket 18 to which is pivotally attached a rocking arm 19. The bracket '18 is preferably constructed of 11' sheet metal which is bent to form a web portion and two flanges 21 and 22. The flanges 21 and 22 have bent outwardly therefrom and at right angles thereto, two base portions 23 and 24 by means of which the supporting bracket may be attached to the header of the door frame with which the same is to be used through screws 25 or other suitable fastening devices. The arm 19 is also formed of sheet metal and comprises two hooked flanges 27 and 28 terminating at one end in spaced ears 29 and 30, which flanges are connected together through a web portion 26. At the other end of the flanges 27 and 28 are formed other ears 31 and 32 which are pivotally connected to the flanges 21 and 22 of the bracket 18 through two rivets 33 and 34 which extend jointly through the said ears and the said flanges leaving the space in between both sets of flanges clear. The swinging of the arm 19 is limited in its open position by the engagement of the web 26 of said arm with the web 20 of the socket 18.

Between the ears 29 and of the arm 19 is mounted a roller 35 which is preferably bellied as best shown in Fig. 5. This roller is journaled upon a pintle 36 which extends through the two cars 29 and 30 permitting the roller 35 to rotate freely thereon. One of the ends of the pintle 36 is constructed with a trip lug 37, whose function will be presently described in detail. This lug is cylindrical in form with the extreme corner thereof rounded as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The other end of the pintle 36 is riveted to hold the roller and pintle assembled 1 upon the arm.

Within the space provided between the flanges 21 and 22 of the supporting bracket 18 and the flanges 27 and 28 of the arm 19 is disposed a tension coil spring 39. This tension coil spring has screwed into one end of it an attaching member 40 in the form of a plug which is constructed with spiraled grooves 41 for the reception of the convolutions of said spring. This plug forms a rigid anchor for attaching the spring to the structure with which it is to be associated. A similar plug 42 is screwed into the other end of the spring 39 whereby the said spring may be attached at both ends thereof to the various parts of the closer. Across the flanges 27 and 28 of the arm 19 is pivotally mounted a bar 43 which may be stamped out of sheet metal or constructed in any suitable manner. This bar is pivotally mounted upon two rivets 44 and 45 which extend through the ends of the said bar and through the flanges 27 and 28 of the arm 19.. A screw 46 passes through an opening 47 in the bar 43 and is threaded into the plug 42. A pin 48 mounted in the bracket 18 passes through an ear 149 formed on the plug 40 and anchors the other end of the spring 39 which is connected therethrough to the bracket 18 so as to permit of the swinging thereof. By means of the screw 46 the tension of the spring 39 may be adjusted to procure the desired force necessary to close the door.

The points of attachment of the spring 39 to the bracket 18 and the arm 19 are such that whenthe said arm is. in fully open position as shown in Fig. 3, the axis of the said spring lies slightly to one side of the pivots 33 and 34. The tension of the spring tends to swing the arm 19 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 and hence serves to hold the arm in open position. When the arm 19 ismoved in a I manner to bring the axis of the spring 39 to the other side of the pivots 33 and 34 the said spring exerts a force tending to move the arm 19 into closing position as shown in Fig. 4. This has the effect of positively moving the said arm from its one position to the other as soon as the spring passes the center of the pivots.

The roller 35 formed on the arm 19 of the door closer is adapted to engage an escutcheon plate 49 best shown in detail in Fig. 6. This escutcheon plate is secured to the surface of the door to which it is to be attached through a number of screws 50 which extend through openings 51 formed in said plate. The upper edge 52 of this plate is preferably beveled as most clearly shown in Fig. 6 to cause the roller 35 to gradually come into engagement with the said plate as the door is closed. Where the door is set into the door frame, the plate 49 may be raised from the surface of the door by any suitable means.

The arm 19 is brought into operation through the agency of the trip lug 37 previously referred to, which is engaged by a trip indicated in its entirety at 53. This trip comprises a base portion 54 which is secured to one end of the plate 49 through a rivet 55. Extending outwardly from the base 54 is an outstanding portion 56 which has bent outwardly therefrom a flange 57. This flange is constructed with a curved portion 58 at one end with another curved portion 59 at the other end extending down to the plate 49 to close the said end of the trip. Within the interior of the trip is mounted a leaf spring 60 which is shaped as best shown in Fig. 6 and which is attached to the flange 57 through rivets 61. This leaf spring extends across the end of the curved portion 58 of flange 57 and may be forced toward the same when pressure is applied thereto.

The operation of the door closer is as follows. 115 When the door is brought into closing position as shown in Fig. 3 the leaf spring 60 engages the trip lug 37 and being inclined swings the arm 19 about its pivot until the spring 39 passes the axis of said pivots. At the same time the roller 35 comes into engagement with the escutcheon plate 49 and thereafter the spring 39 exerts a force upon the arm 19 tending to swing the same inwardly and effecting the closing of the door. Due to the resilience of the spring 60 the roller 35 is maintained throughout its movement in contact with the plate 49 so that there is no lost motion or play between the door and the closing means whereby a practically noiseless operation results.

In the application of the invention to swinging doors as shown in Fig. 2, when the trip 53 first engages the trip lug 37, the said trip is angularly disposed with reference thereto. Such angularity also varies in accordance with the distance 135 from the center of the door hinges as well as with the degree of opening of the door. Due to the employment of the leaf spring 60 such angularity is compensated for. It will hence readily become apparent that by employing the leaf spring 60 for engagement with the trip lug 37 that a single door closing device may be utilized with doors swinging from either the left or the right, which device may be installed at any position with respect to the door hinges.

In continued use of a door closer of the type illustrated I have found that considerable wear occurs on the bearings of the rocking arm. To take up the thrust imparted to the said arm the ears 31 and 32 of the. flanges 2'7 and 28 of said 150 Ti" Of arm are constructed circular. To the same sides of the flanges 21 and 22 of the bracket 18 on which the said ears lie, I attach two wear resisting plates 62 and 63 which are secured thereto through rivets c4. These plates are constructed with arcuate sockets which are adapted to seat against the circular portions of the ears 31 and 32 and to take the thrust imparted to the arm during the operation of the device. By means of hese plates the wear on rivets 33 and 34 is greatly reduced so that the device will operate for an exceedingly great length of time without attention.

The plates 62 and 63 also serve to support the pin 48 to which one end of the spring 39 is anchored. These plates are constructed with holes 56 which extend completely therethrough for the reception of the pin 48 and serve to hold the said pin in proper position between the flanges 21 and 22 of the bracket 18. Although I have shown the flanges of the bracket 18 straddling the flanges of the arm 19, yet it can be readily comprehended that this arrangement of parts may be reversed and the plates $2 and 63 to be attached to the exterior of the flanges 21 and 22 if desired. In such cases the pin 48 will be lodged in the flanges 2i 22 and re-- strained from movement therethrough through the said plates.

In Fig. 7, I have shown another form of attaching device for the end of the spring 39. This device consists of a strap '70 which is U-shaped in formation and which its two ends 71 and 72 cent about the last convolution of the said spring. Within the crotch of this member is disposed a nut 73 which is engaged by the screw 46 to adjustably secure the end of the spring in the other end of the spring being attached to the bracket base in any desired manner. With either this form of attaching member or the other form previously described breakage of the spring is prevented and an extremely rigid and sturdy construction formed which may be adjusted to give any spring tension.

In my invention, an extremely positive and fool-proof device is provided for the automatic closing of doors and similar closures. The device is so constructed as to wear for an extremal long time and may be readily adjusted func tion as desired. The device may be attached to any type or size of door or similar closure without reconstruction thereof and a single device will suffice for any installation thereby reducing the investment necessary in tools and dies requi ed for the manufacturing of the invention.

Changes in the specifi form of my invention, as herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Eaving described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A door closer comprising a supporting bracket having spaced flanges, an for engagement with the door said arm being provided with spaced flanges, one of the pairs of said flanges straddling the other pair, one of the pairs of flanges having ears thereon, means for pivoting said ears to the adjoining flanges, and members secured to the adjoining flanges for engagement with said ears to take up the thrust imparted to said arm.

2. A door closer comprising a supporting bracket having spaced flanges, an arm for en i gagement with the door, said arm being provided with spaced flanges, one of the pairs of said flanges straddling the other pair, one of thepairs of said flanges having ears thereon, means L01 pivoting said ears to the adjoining flanges, said ears having circular surfaces concentrically disposed relative to the pivots thereof, and members seemed to the flanges to which said ears are pivoted, said members being formed with arcuate shoulders for engagement with said ears to take up the thrust imparted to said arm.

3. A door closer comprising a supporting bracket having spaced flanges, an arm provided with spaced flanges having ears formed thereon, one of the pairs of said flanges straddling the other pair, means for pivoting the ears of said arm to said supporting bracket, and plates secured to the flanges of said supportbracket for engagement with said ears to take up the thrust imparted thereto.

i. A door closer comprising a supporting bracket having a pair of spaced flanges, a pair of plates secured to said flanges, the inner pair having holes extending therethrough for the reception of a pin, the other pair serving to form stops to retain said pin within said holes, an arm provided with spaced flanges having ears adapted to lie along the flanges of said supporting bracket and on the same side thereof said plates, means for pivoting said ears to the flanges of said supporting bracket, a tension coil spring secured at one end to said pin and at its other end to said arm, and means on said plates for engagement with said ears to take up the thrust imparted to said arm.

5. In combination with a door frame and a door hinged thereto, a door closer mounted on said frame and having a normally inoperative swinging arm movable toward and from the plane of the frame for engagement with the door to close the same, a trip lug on said arm, a trip including a member having a surface for engagement with said lug to move said arm into door closing position, said surface being at right angles to a plane perpendicular to the door, said member being movable to vary the angularity between the surface thereof and said perpendicular plane to compensate for different angles of application of said trip relative to said trip lug.

6. In combination with a door frame and a door hinged thereto, a door closer mounted on said frame and having a normally inoperative swinging arm movable toward and from the plane of the frame for engagement with the door to close the same, a trip lug on said arm, a trip including a leaf spring for engagement with said lug to move said arm into door closing position, said leaf spring lying at right angles to a plane perpendicular to the door, said spring being yieldable to vary the angularity between it and said perpendicular plane to compensate for different angles of application of said trip relative to said trip lug.

7. In combination with a door frame and a door hinged thereto, a door closer mounted on said frame and having a normally inoperative swinging arm movable toward and from the plane of the frame, a roller on said arm for engagement with the door to close the same, a trip lug on said arm, a trip attached to the door and comprising a. base and a flange connected therewith, said flange having a curved portion and a leaf spring secured to said flange and following along said curved portion, said leaf spring being adapted to engage the trip lug to move the arm into door closing position and urging .said roller toward the door to eliminate lost motion wtherebetween.

8. In combination with a door frame and a door hinged thereto, a door closer mounted on said frame and having a normally inoperative swinging arm movable toward and from the plane of the frame, a roller on said arm for engagement with the door to close the same, a trip lug on said arm, a trip attached to the door and comprising a base and a flange connected therewith, said flange having a curved portion and a leaf spring secured to said flange and following along said curved portion, said leaf spring engaging the trip lug to move the arm into door closing position and urging said roller toward the door to eliminate lost motion therebetween said leaf spring being disposed between the door and said flange and being yieldable toward said flange.

9. In combination with a door frame and a door hinged thereto, a door closer mounted on said frame and having a normally inoperative swinging arm movable toward and from the plane of the frame, a roller on said arm for engagement with the door to close the same, a trip lug -onsaid arm, a trip for operating said door closer, said trip having a spring operated swingable part supported at one end for engagement with said trip lug, said part being disposed so as to bring the free end thereof first into engagement with said trip lug as the door is moved into closing position to hold the roller in engagement with the door.

10. A door closer comprising a flanged closer base, a flanged arm pivoted to the same, a pivoted bar extended across said arm flanges, a

tension coil spring attached at one end to said flanged closer base, a plug attached to the other end of said coil spring and a screw extending through said pivoted supporting bar and threaded into said plug for adjusting the tension of said 0011 spring, said pivoted supporting bar permitting swinging movement of said coil spring relative to the arm.

11. A door closer comprising a flanged closer base, a flanged arm pivoted to the same, a pivoted bar extending across said arm flanges, a tension coil spring attached at one end to said flanged closer base, a member attached to the other end of said coil spring and a screw extending through said pivoted supporting bar and threaded into said member tor adjusting the tension of said coil spring, said pivoted supporting bar permitting swinging movement of said coil spring relative to the arm.

12. A door closer comprising a flanged closer base, a flanged arm pivoted to the same, a pivoted bar extending through said arm flanges, a tension coil spring attached at one end to said flanged closer base and at the other :end to the pivoted bar, said pivoted bar permitting swinging movement of said coil spring relative to the arm.

ANDREW C. DUNN. 

